Health and economic burden of post-partum Staphylococcus aureus breast abscess.

View Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To determine the health and economic burdens of post-partum Staphylococcus aureus breast abscess.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a matched cohort study (N = 216) in a population of pregnant women (N = 32,770) who delivered at our center during the study period from 10/1/03-9/30/10. Data were extracted from hospital databases, or via chart review if unavailable electronically. We compared cases of S. aureus breast abscess to controls matched by delivery date to compare health services utilization and mean attributable medical costs in 2012 United States dollars using Medicare and hospital-based estimates. We also evaluated whether resource utilization and health care costs differed between cases with methicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. aureus isolates.

RESULTS

Fifty-four cases of culture-confirmed post-partum S. aureus breast abscess were identified. Breastfeeding cessation (41%), milk fistula (11.1%) and hospital readmission (50%) occurred frequently among case patients. Breast abscess case patients had high rates of health services utilization compared to controls, including high rates of imaging and drainage procedures. The mean attributable cost of post-partum S. aureus breast abscess ranged from $2,340-$4,012, depending on the methods and data sources used. Mean attributable costs were not significantly higher among methicillin-resistant vs. -susceptible S. aureus cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-partum S. aureus breast abscess is associated with worse health and economic outcomes for women and their infants, including high rates of breastfeeding cessation. Future study is needed to determine the optimal treatment and prevention of these infections.

Abbreviation
PLoS ONE
Publication Date
2013-09-05
Volume
8
Issue
9
Page Numbers
e73155
Pubmed ID
24039877
Medium
Electronic-eCollection
Full Title
Health and economic burden of post-partum Staphylococcus aureus breast abscess.
Authors
Branch-Elliman W, Lee GM, Golen TH, Gold HS, Baldini LM, Wright SB